Trump's Iran issue negotiations have not made much progress.

For days, mediators in the Middle East have been working intensively to facilitate negotiations aimed at ending the war between the United States and Iran. However, they have stated that differences remain significant and progress is still difficult to gauge.

This statement seems to contradict President Trump’s remarks. On Monday, Trump announced that the U.S. and Iran have had productive discussions to end the war. He said he had held a meeting with a respected Iranian leader, and they had reached an agreement on key issues. He told reporters that talks would continue on Monday and that an agreement could be reached soon.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied that they are negotiating with the U.S., but acknowledged that some regional countries are trying to push diplomatic efforts.

Arab officials said they have been engaging in separate dialogues with both sides, but Iran has set very high thresholds for ending hostilities, making progress difficult.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the United States will not negotiate through the media.”

Arab officials stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a key focus of the mediation efforts. The strait is a critical route for energy exports in the Gulf region. Iran has attempted to block the strait by attacking ships passing through. They said Arab mediators have proposed placing this strategic waterway under the control of a neutral regional committee to allow all ships to pass.

Some officials mentioned that Egypt has also proposed a five-day ceasefire to build trust for a comprehensive ceasefire.

Sources familiar with the matter said that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, responsible for defending the Iranian regime and holding decisive influence over how to end the conflict, responded by demanding a new order for the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Iran to charge fees to passing ships, similar to what Egypt does with the Suez Canal.

These sources also said that the Guard Corps demands guarantees that the war will not reignite, Israel cease attacks on Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which is allied with Iran, the closure of U.S. bases in the Gulf region, and compensation for damages Iran has suffered during the war.

Many of the demands raised privately by Iran in mediation efforts are consistent with their publicly stated positions, which have only hardened since the war entered its second week. After enduring over 16,000 airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel, the Iranian regime remains intact and still capable of striking sensitive targets across the Gulf. The regime has made it clear that it will not simply end the war with a ceasefire, as that could leave it vulnerable to future attacks.

The risk is that any final agreement could entrench Iran’s influence over Gulf energy exports for years to come.

Some sources say Gulf officials oppose the idea of charging fees. Saudi Arabia has stated it will not allow Iran to dominate operations in the strait. Some officials mentioned that the U.S. continues to push for Iran to halt its missile program, stop uranium enrichment, and cease support for regional militias, while unconditionally reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked on Monday who would control the Strait of Hormuz after the war, Trump told reporters, “Maybe me.” He added that Iran’s new leadership would also play a role.

Iranian and Arab officials expressed skepticism about the success of Trump’s diplomatic efforts, suggesting that the move appears aimed at suppressing oil prices. After Trump announced progress in talks, oil prices dropped sharply.

Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have been in separate dialogues with U.S. Special Envoy Wittekov and Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi. Some officials said Egypt has also spoken with representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Some officials indicated that Qatar and Oman have also engaged with both sides to end the conflict and have reached understandings on how to restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran’s consent.

On Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced that it held talks with Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, Iran, and Wittekov. Turkish official media reported that the country’s foreign minister met with Araghchi and unnamed U.S. officials.